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Dad, Charles E. Simmons, died on Saturday night, March 6, 2010
after a brief, rapid decline in health.
Dad was born
in Gallitzen, PA on August 25, 1916. His parents were the late
Samuel Sylvester and Mary Josephine Bradley Simmons. His sisters,
Margaret Marie Kelch died in 1984 and Rhoda Mae Malsi died in1968.
A son of a
coal miner, Dad moved to Altoona, PA in 1928. He graduated from
Altoona High School, class of 1934. After working in the
Pennsylvania Railroad car shops, he joined the Pennsylvania State
Police and graduated from the State Police Academy, Myerstown in
April 1938. The class was part of the recruitment project called
the "Ninety-Day-Wonders." His first assignment took him to the
last reunion of
 the
Blue and Gray on the Fourth of July 1938 when the Peace Memorial
was dedicated in Gettysburg. During his twenty-five year career as
a State Trooper, Dad was stationed in Selingsgrove, Bedford, and
Lancaster County. He retired April 15, 1963 as Corporal.
Dad came to
Lancaster in March of 1941, but returned to Altoona on June 18,
1941 to marry Mary Margaret Reeder and brought her to Lancaster.
Before Mom died in July 2008, Dad and Mom had celebrated
sixty-seven years of marriage.
Retirement
from the Pennsylvania State Police did not stop Dad's career in
law enforcement. From April 1963 through August 1986, Dad was
Chief County Detective for Lancaster County. When Dad became
County Detective, the District Attorney's office consisted of the
District Attorney, County Detective and a secretary.
He was a
member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, where he served
many years ushering. He was a member of the Lions Club: the
Fraternal Order of Police, the Lancaster County Law Enforcement
Association, the Retired State Police Association and the American
Association of State Police. He was a charter member and past
president of the Robert Lapp Lodge, Post 66.
He is survived
by three children: MaryAnn wife of Glenn E. Hess, Charles R.
Simmons, Donald L. husband of Carol Ament Simmons. Dear to his
heart were his grandchildren; Karen and Kenneth Milligan, Jennifer
and George Bisignani, Kathryn and William Saltzer, Lisa and Jason
Flood, C. Matthew Simmons, Scott Simmons and Justin Simmons and
his great grandchildren: Zachary, Zane, Noah, Timothy, Logan,
Abigail and Madeline.
Mass of
Christian Burial will be held at St Anthony of Padua Catholic
Church, 501 E. Orange Street, Lancaster, PA on Wednesday, March
10, 2010 at 11:00AM with Rev. Daniel Mitzel as Celebrant.
Interment will be in Conestoga Memorial Park. Friends may pay
their respects to the family at the church on Wednesday from
10-11:00AM. Please omit flowers. Contributions may be made in
Charles's memory to Hospice of Lancaster County, P O Box 4125,
Lancaster, PA 17604. Arrangements are by the Charles F. Snyder Jr.
Funeral Home and Chapel. To send online condolences, please visit
SnyderFuneralHome.com |
